THE junior outdoor cricket season for schools and clubs has been underway since last month.

During the winter, St Margaret’s Cricket Centre or one of the secondary school sports halls across the city have been the focus for coaching.

There has been significant investment in indoor cricket during the winter months and coaching is available to those schools that wish to take advantage of opportunities.

The Lord’s Taverners sponsor an under-13 indoor tournament that saw SFX College win the local qualifying event and qualify for the county finals held at Old Trafford.

Shorefields and Childwall, respectively, were the winners of The Lady Taverners girls tournaments at under-13 and under-15.

There are several options open to primary schools wishing to participate in competitive cricket during the summer. Asda sponsor three Kwik Cricket tournaments for three different age groups – Year 6 (Girls), Year 6 (Mixed), and Years 4/5 (mixed). The girls from St Christopher’s in Speke reached the national finals last year.

THE 2011 calendar is: Today (May 24) Year 6 (girls) at Sefton Park CC; Tuesday June 7, Year 6 (Mixed) South & South Central School Sports Partnerships qualifying Tournament at Sefton Park CC; June 9, Year 6 (Mixed) North & Central School Sports partnerships qualifying Tournament at Alder CC; June 22 Year 6 (Mixed) – City finals at Sefton Park CC; July 5 Years 4/5 (mixed) at Liverpool CC.

The Liverpool Schools Cricket Association runs a softball league for those schools that wish to play on a regular basis whilst there is also a parallel league run by the Catholic Primary Schools.